Tick Tock

Saša Martinović – Zdenko Kožul
21st Croatian Chess Championship; Vinkovci, June 22, 2020
King’s Indian Defence E73

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 0-0 6. Be3 c6 7. h3 e5 8. d5 a5 9. Nf3 Bd7 10. 0-0 Na6 11. Nd2 Nc5 12. Qb1 Qe7 13. b4 axb4 14. Qxb4 Bc8 15. a4 Nfd7 16. Nb3 Na6 17. Qa3 c5 18. Rae1 f5 19. exf5 gxf5 20. Qc1 f4 21. Bd2 Nf6 22. Qb1 Nb4 23. a5 Qd7 24. Nb5 Kh8 25. Bxb4 cxb4 26. Nd2 Rxa5 27. Qxb4 Ra6 28. Bf3 Rg8 29. Ne4 Nxe4 30. Rxe4 Bf8 31. Kh2 Qg7 32. Re2 Bf5

33. Nc3! Though far from offering any material compensation, White’s Exchange sacrifice has the merit to block off Black’s Kingside initiative and gain control of crucial light squares. 33. ... Bd3 34. Rfe1 Bxe2 35. Rxe2 Qc7 36. Rb2 b6 37. Qb5 Ra1 38. Ne4 Rc1 39. Rb4? This is a mistake that could cost Martinović dearly. White had to play 39. Qxb6 Qxb6 40. Rxb6 Rxc4 41. Rc6! with enough compensation for a draw. 39. ... Be7 40. Ra4? (40. Qxb6 Rxc4∓)

40. ... Rc8? Here Black lets slip his chance for a win, that is 40. ... Bh4! (threatening ... Qc7-g7-g3+) 41. Qb2 b5!−+ (Kožul may have overlooked this move). Now both seem content to go for a draw: 41. Bg4 Rd8 42. Qc6 Qb8 43. Rb4 Qa7 44. Ra4 Qb8 45. Rb4 Qa7 ½ : ½.

Despite today’s draw, Kožul maintains one point lead after round four. Screenshot from the live stream. Courtesy of Patrick Nikić.